The
111-year-old former Jones Dairy House continues to thrive as the Taylorsville/Bennion
Heritage Center. But the volunteer city committee that operates the historic
facility says it’s an on-going challenge.

“The city gives us an annual budget of $2,000,”
said Historic Preservation Committee Chairwoman Connie Taney. “None of us get
paid, which is OK because preserving the past is near to our hearts, but
maintaining everything inside this old home, next door at the old dairy store
and all over the rest of the property costs money.”

Of all
the committee members, no one is any more emotionally tied to the home—and
adjacent dairy building—than Taney, whose grandfather David Jones purchased the
property in 1918. The home was 12 years old then.

Appearing
before the Taylorsville City Council, Taney presented a wish list of capital
improvements needed at the site, on 4800 South near 1500 West.

“The
city had a crew come out right away to make some sidewalk and driveway
repairs,” she said. “But we still need new paint on the front steps, a new
computer system for records maintenance and repairs to an exterior support beam
that suffered wind damage.”

That’s a
big part of Taney’s life: keeping a checklist of necessary repairs—and
reminding city officials of the value of the property it purchased 15 years
ago.

Audrey
Jones—Taney’s mother—was the eighth of David and Clara’s nine children.

“I have
so many fond memories of my grandparents in this home,” Taney said. “When they
passed the home to my uncle, and he eventually put it up for sale, I met with
the mayor to try to save it.”

Fearing
a bulldozer might have its way with the old home, Taney met with then-Mayor
Janice Auger in 2000 to pitch her on having the city purchase the property.

Less
than two years later, Taylorsville City officials made the purchase for
$500,000. And Taney found herself in charge of the city’s newly-created
Historic Preservation Committee.

One of
the first people to join her on the committee was Margaret Player.

“I
think I’ve hung every picture in this restored house and did nearly all of the
flower arrangements,” Player said. “I also love doing the finances and guiding
field trip tours.”

Each
spring, the committee sends letters to area elementary schools, inviting them
to visit the site for free. The Granite School District normally send kids by
the hundreds, during the final weeks of their school year.

“Last
year, we had 15 school tours, ranging in size for 30 to more than 100
students,” said the committee’s designated grant writer, Joan White. “We cover
the costs of their busses and the classes often have picnic lunches out on our
lawn. They seem to enjoy it, and the students leave knowing a little bit more
about their history.”

To fund
the field trips, each year White sends a grant request to Salt Lake County for
Zoo, Arts and Parks (ZAP) funding.

“Last
year we received $4,500,” White added. “But this year we have a little more
money in our own account, so I only requested $4,000.”

While
adults may be more interested in the antique furnishings inside the home, Taney
said nearly all the kids seem to take more of a shine to what’s out back.

“We
rent indoor animal pens to a couple of local residents,” she said. “We have
sheep, goats, chickens … and a new litter of piglets.”

Directly
west of the historic home, the old Jones Dairy store building is available to
rent for family reunions, wedding receptions and other events. Last year the
committee raised nearly $3,400 through rentals there.

“Between
the rentals, grant money and our budget from the city, we keep afloat pretty
well,” Laney added. “And, of course, we always accept donations from people who
walk through.”

The Taylorsville/Bennion Heritage Center is open
Tuesday mornings, Wednesday evenings, Saturday afternoons and by appointment.